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'^t ANNUAL * REPORT ^* 

OF THE 

REAR ADMIRAL COMMANDING. 

j^atiopal /^ssoeiatio9 of jNlaual l/eterap5, 

U. S. OF A. 



PiTTsmiKcii, Pa., September ]() ,1894. 
Shu'mates: 

,.r 1. ,^" P^®^^"ting this my second annual report, I shall be brief as to the work accom- 
plished durmg the year just endmg, for the reason my General Orders which have been is- 
sued monthly durmg my term of office have been so full and detailed that vour tfrnrneed not 
be taken up here recoun mg the events. I must congratulate all hands upon the marked 
earnesness and zeal which has pervaded our body during the entire year. The tone of the 
Order has been largely increased and elevated, and to-day we are stronger and, more powerful 
for good than at any period m our history. Our recognition is more extended our FiZienS 
ferT aTAedats'oVrf bv m.n"'^' better than many organizations of like character whise char 
ters antedates ours by many years. Our numerical gains have beea larger and our losses 

m*urbl'a;;l?e'„'r.„=X„L;r/e.-r^"'^"' we have many reasons for colg,.a.u,a.io,JXr 

Perfect harmony has prevailed throughout our entire jurisdiction, and no commandins" 
officer has had a more loyal and devoted set of officers and crew than your speakeT Wh f 
he work of your senior officer has been at times very taxing, he hasbeeLieered on and com 
forted by the hearty endorsement of his subordinates, and to each and every SSmate he ten- 
ders his profound gratitude for their support, confidence, and expressions^of oSl and pe"- 
sonal regards. The cares, anxieties and burdens of my official duties have at fmes been 
many and ottimes great, but the kindly encouragement given so freely and heartily from a 
iSnTdSam™' ™^ ^""""' duties a pleasure, and lo-day they L thought ot' as but a 

Wh©Q this Convention adjourned last year at Indianapolis the National Association was 
practically withou any funds in its treasury, owing to the defalcation of the Fleet Pavmaser 
whom we had elected at Detroit, and in whom every one placed the utmost rehance ' Tot ^ 
'}^}^^Jy^'^^^i^\^^^^th^ent^re visible assets were not valued at twenty dollars and he had 
also relegated to us a legacy of unpaid bills and tangled accounts which latter i has been s 
rTJ^^'"'' "^.'^ straighten out although every effort has been made to do so Youi presen 
Fleet Paymaster, Shipmate E. F. Dustin, with great perseverance and skill has durm?the 
yearpastswept away all our indebtedness save one"^ bill amounting to One HuSrSf and 
rwenty-mne Dollars, has promptly met every bill incurred during this adminis mtion has 
f^f^tir P^^^'^^"r °^ 'i^. ^^^^ ^'t"^^- ^ «tock of blank Charters, a conSe ou"fit o? 
blank Commissions etc. and has a stock of supplies on hand valued at over Three H ndred 
Dollars, all of which Mall be set forth in his annual repon minaied 

.1, nJ^^^^'/fJ^'l^^^^'''' intelligent, painstaking, capable officer could not have been found as 
he Chief of this Department. I have known dly b/day of his official acts everv one of which 
!^l^i™^i;^:l?lS^StS;J^^— "^- -^VouViH makenomistaklV^r^^^S 



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To my Secretary, George W. Bostwick, who has served us so faithfully and so con- 
scientiously for several years past, I must return my most grateful thanks for the manner in 
which he has performed his arduous duties in season and out of season. His knowledge of 
the affairs of the National Association is perhaps greater than any of our shipmates, and the 
careful, prompt and intelligent ilianner which he attends to every detail merits our most sincere 
commendations. 

Commodore Cyrus Sears, my Chief Executive Officer, has evinced that earnestness and 
zeal which merits my heartiest praise and he has been in close touch with me during mj^ en- 
tire administration, and his counsel and advice have been always of the most valued char- 
acter. 

Fleet Chaplain Samuel Alman, our good friend and spiritual pilot has ever been by my 
side to counsel and advise, with that sincerity of heart and purpose which has endeared him 
to me beyond words to express. A shipmate of rare, excellent, executive ability, clear in 
every purpose, conscientious in all things, firm as a rock, yet with a heart like a woman, he has 
dispensed his teachings and goodly work broadcast to our great good and to oirr honor. He 
deserves well at j^our hands, in guiding our ship in its coming cruises. 

To Captain R. N. Hopkins I am indebted fur much valuable service rendered, and ff>r 
his earnest work in the limited sphere of his duties. He has wrought faithfully and well. I 
am unable to state the. amount of duty performed by our Commander or Lieut-Commander as 
I have not heard from them more than three or four times during the year. 

Senior-Lieutenant B. D. Blanchard has been a constant and intelligent worker, being 
in close touch with me, and a very helpful, earnest member of my staff and worthy of all com- 
.mendation. Lieutenant Jos. Chace. Jr., has been South for several months in search of 
health, and he has not had the opportunity to show his accustomed zeal in our work. 

The duties of their offices have not demanded any special exertion on the part ot our 
Fleet Surgeon C. Marion Uodson, nor our beloved shipmate. Fleet Engineer, John B. Wirt, 
to whom we owe so much for his labors in our behalf at Indianapolis last year. National 
B(^atswain, W. E. Goodenough, has been a worker to whom I owe a hearty meed of thanks, 
prompt, energetic and laboring faithfully for our general good and welfare. Our National 
Historian, Past Commander William vSimmons, that tireless, indefatigable shipmate, whose 
pen and voice is ever to the front for the Naval Veterans has my thanks for his services so 
generously and so ably rendered. 

Last, but not least, I must mention with gratitude the faithful service rendered me by 
•r.y Senior Aide and Chief of staft Will. E. Atkins, whose marked intelligence and earnestness- 
for the best interest of the National Association are worthy of emulation by all who desire 
our progress and prosperity. For two terms shipmate Atkins has served me in this same cap- 
acity, and I have ever found him ready, willing and anxious to do his duty with a marked 
earnestness of purpose which has made his work very acceptable to me. 

There are several of my aides who well deserve special mention for their splendid work 
during the year past; shipmates who have really well earned the honor conferred upon them, 
others have not been so marked in the line of duty evidently not being so placed trtat they could 
display or exhibit their talents, but who doubtless have done their share, but have been 
too modest to let their light so shine that it could be seen of men. 

The Executive Committee as a body have not been called upon for any extra s^jecial 
duty in connection with their office for the reason that fortunately no grave questions have 
arisen calling for the action of that body, but from the character of the shipmates who have 
held this office I have always felt that did an emergency arise I had at my call a bodj^ of men 
who could be relied upon. 

Late in my administration I felt it my duty to appoint an acting legal head of our Asso- 
ciation, and therefore announced as Acting Judge-Advocate-General our eminent jurist Capt. 
Chas. Cowley, who served in that capacity in the South Atlantic Squadron during the war, and 
while it has not been necessary to call his valuable services into requisition, yet I deem it most 
important that the office of Judge-Advocate-(Teneral wnth the rank of Captain be created at 
this Convention, and my judgment and appointment be confirmed in this matter. 

I desire to say, before closing under the head of Commendations to officers, that the year 
just ending is very marked, in this, that the earnestness, zeal and intelligence of the Com- 
manding Officers and Secretarys of Local Associations has been of a much higher degree than 
ever known in our history as an organization. Reports from them have been more frequent 
and fuller than ever before; and the entire tone of the correspondence of a higher grade, 
showing a very commendable advancement in all that pertains to our power and influence for 
good. I may further state that the general tone and appearance of our entire command has 
been vastly improved, and if we but continue to do our duty we shall attain an excellence 
worthy of the liighest praise from all who know us within our borders. 

My General Orders, which have been full and frank in their recountals of events, our 
progress, and of suggestions which 1 deem of value and importance to the shipmates at large, 
have been so frequent that it relieves me of stating many details which might properly be set 
forth in an annual report, and hence I refrain from touching upon them at this time'. I sin- 



. I 

. j^ cerely Ijelieve in the value and great importance of making our General Orders of such char- 
j^ acter that they will be gladly welcomed in every association, and thier reading form one ot the 
Q<, interesting features of our meetings. 

^ Thirt3'-six hundred copies of General Orders have been distributed during the year; 

4 they have been copied largely by the newspaper press, and frequently quoted at some length in 
". the General Orders of our young friends, the Sons of Veterans. In some instances, leading 
i'5 journals have referred to them editorially, showing that they have been appreciated by the 
- public as well as by our shipmates. 
^ The Naval Legion of Philadelphia was dropped from the National Association Rolls in 

October last as per section 18 of General Order, No. 2. I immediately took steps to replace it 
l)y another organization composed of those of its members who were loyal to their obliga- 
tions and to the National body. The result of my efforts has been the formation of the Phil- 
adelphfa Naval Veteran Association No. 38, chartered January 80, 18y3, composed of the best 
elements of the Legion, and a large number of shipmates who were never enrolled on our 
books, including some very distinguished officers of the regular navy. 

For several years we have labored faithfully to induce the Kearsarge Association N. V. 
of Boston, to join our organization, but our labors were in vain, and in November last, the 
shipmates in that city who were favorable to this body formed the Farragut Association N. V. 
.which, although in its infancy, is one of the most promising associations under our jurisdic- 
tion. 

The first addition to our roll for the official year was in October, l.S9;3, and was the 
Admirals. C. Rowan N. V. Association, of Annapolis, Md. , located at the seat of Naval 
learnmg of the County. Its position is of great value, as the Association will be a constant 
reminder to the young men at the Naval Academy of our devotion to the Hag. 

Next in order came the Philadelphia N. V. Association, chartered in January. 1894. 
Then the Admiral John A. Winslow xN. V. Association of this city, chartered in Aj^ril, 1894, 
and lastly the Rock River Naval Veteran Association of Rockford, 111., chartered in May last, 
making a gain of five associations for the official year, and a total of thirty-four associations 
under charter. Considering all things this may be considered an excellent showing. 1 may 
say incidentally that the keels of several more associations are laid, and wich the zealous worlc 
of my successor they .should be put in commission before our Tenth Annual Convention. 

Just one word regarding our duty as citizens and as Naval \'eterans. While I believe I 
have voiced the sentiments of all mj- shipmates frequently through the medium of General 
Orders, and more emphatically in Sec. V. G. O. No. 8, and Sec. IX. G.O. iNo. 11, which seems 
to have met unqualilied apijroval. I feel that I can say here to-day that if ever the time 
comes when the Government requires the armed services of its veterans it will be found that the 
'• Blue Jackets" of 1861-5 will be in the front ranks as ready, and as willing to protect 
the grand Old Flag as they were thirty odd years ago, and that we will so live, that by pre- 
cept and example the rising generation will see that we mean what we say. 

The time has now come when we must seriously consider the question of who shall be 
our leaders in our next official year. You have honored me by four successive terms of ser- 
vice, how well I have served you is not for me to say. When I was elected Captain at Boston 
in 1890, the National Association was in a precarious condition and only nine associations were 
under charter, and seven of them were in a very weakly condition. As sccoulL to Commodore 
Wells 1 bent my best energies to the work before us. Two associations were adued before the 
year closed, and four more before our next annual convention. In 189L you pro- 
moted me to the Commodoreship, and with Rear Admiral Wells still at the helm we in- 
creased our numerical strength. In 1892 you again promoted me and I took supreme com- 
mand as Rear Admiral, and in 1893 1 was again honored by a continuance in office, since 
which time nine new associations have been added to our National Roster, and but for the 
terrible financial depressinn which has hung like a 'dark cloud over our country, it is fair to say 
this number would have been at least doubled. I feel that I have contributed my share to 
our prosperity and advancement, and shall gladly lay down the emblem of active service and 
return to the ranks and continue to labor in our interest with zeal and earnestness. 

You are now called upon to select my succcessor. To ensure our success he must be a 
shipmate of positive executive ability, of good sound judgment, conversant with the laws and 
customs of the Service and of our Association and its history. He must have the confidence and 
esteem of the majority, and be able to press our rights and recognition in the highest quar- 
ters. He must be able tcf devote his time and talents to the great work and grave respon- 
sibilities before him. He must not be a seeker after the office, but rather be sought for. He 
must be a shipmate who will accept the place nat for the glory of office but fen- the honor 
eonferred upon him, and sink self to raise the Association to the highest standard of dig- 
nity, importance and. esteem of not only his subordinates but of the people at large. He 
should be a God-fearing and God-loving man, constantly asking the Divine Commander for 
guidance, that he may do all things to His honor and glory. He should be just, impartial, 
firm, and ever vigilant for the best interests of his command. He should keep in close touch 
with his immediate staff and the officers of each Association. Constant contact will cement 



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the whole body into a homogenious mass of unity, which means strength, He should be at 
his headquarters at all times so as to promptly reply to all correspondence, and should answer 
fully every communication addressed to him. I assert that one of the greatest claims I can 
make during my administration is the promptitude with which I have attended to the official cor- 
respondence addressed to Headquarters. I have written during the official year just clps^iii'g 
nearly 4,000 letters, and sent out during my two administrations over 7,000 official orders and 
circulars. I have represented the National Association at meetings, encampments, and other 
functions more ihan one hundred times during my terms, and have never permitted a public 
ceremonial to occur that I could reach, when it was proper for the Naval Veteran to appear 
in uniform but I have been on deck with a representative staff. I do not mention these mat- 
ters to boast of my individual work, but rather to show what is to be expected of the ship- 
mate who shall have the honor to succeed me. The office of Rear Admiral with me has been 
no sinecure either in emoluments or work. * 

I crave no flattering eulogy at your hands, for my labors, but I ask you to select for my 
successor a shipmate who will endeavor as faithfully as I have to keep the interest of the 
Naval Veterans to the front during his administration, and to turn over to his successor an 
organization as strong, popular and powerful as I do to-day when I shall hand over the 
National gavel, to him who is to rule over you in the year to come. My heart is full to-day, 
my dear shipmates, in taking leave of you. It is a painful moment with me, I can assure 
you. With but few exceptions I stand here to-day one of the oldest members of the first 
Naval Veteran Associations of the United States, dating back to 18fi7 and the second one 
was organized in my office a few years later. For four years I have been among your trusted 
leaders and workers, and until the day of my death, I expect to be with you, to work with you 
and for you. Can you wonder that this is an anxious moment with me, not that I do not 
know there are shipmates within the sound of my voice who can and will till my place, per- 
haps, far more satisfactorily than I have done, but Ian like the old captain who turns his ship 
over to his trusted lieutenant. He cannot forget that he once commanded the ship himself. 
This is but human, so pardon me if I have, in my tenderness of heart, given way at this time 
to the emotions which till my breast. We too often, in assemblages like these, select some 
"good fellow" because he is a good fellow, and like him, but learn when it is too late, that 
our "good fellow" is not of the material for a successful leader and commander. It is to 
guard against this too common error that to-day I raise my warning voice. 

In concluding I desire to thank most heartily those of my staff who have so nobly -stood 
by me. Some of them, however, have evidently had no time to keep in touch with head- 
c^uarters, judging from the paucity of their correspondence. There is plenty for each 
national officer to do if he wishes to do it, and if the whole staff would each year do their 
whole duty great results might be accomplished. 

I am of opinion that the selection of our officers should be made regardless of locality, 
but solely on the ground of fitness. They should be men who have commanded and led men, 
who by their knowledge of commanding can, and will, enforce respect, and thus more easily 
enforce discipline, for without discipline we soon, as an organization, would go to pieces. The 
same holds good in local organizations. It is an old adage that a " good captain makes a 
good crew," and I believe it to be a sotmd one in fact. Our future depends upon our com- 
manding officers. No one would think of sending a ship to sea in command of an engineer 
and her motive power in charge of a commodore. Nor would we expect to have th-e sails 
properly furled or reefed by coal passers, or the furnaces properly fed with fuel by a corporal's 
guard of marines. It is all very well for us to say " we have now voluntarily cast aside the 
former distinction of rank and station," but we must not cast aside the fact that " some men 
are born to command" and it is from this class of shipmates we must select our commanding 
officers. 

But I must not dilate on this subject any longer. I have done as I deem my duty in 
this matter, and pray God may direct us aright in all our future deliberations and doings in 
the few years that may be before us. 

I now take my official farewell of you, thankful for your every kindness, for your con- 
sideration of all my weaknesses and shortcomings, for your cheerful support, and for all the 
kindly words spoken or written since I have been with you. To those who in the heat of the 
race for the highest goal in your gift, may have spoken words which doubtless they would 
gladly recall, words which at the time may have grated harshly on my ear, and sometimes 
left a sting in my heart. I freely forgive. God knows I wish you 'each and all His richest 
blessings on earth, and a joyful entrance into the blissful Port of Peace where all is joy and 
life eternal. God bless you. 

Fraternallv, 

B. S. OSBON, 

A't'ar Admiral Co/zii/iandifiir. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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